pilots

Tag Archives for pilots.

What Was It Like On Board The United Plane That Almost Plunged Into The Pacific?

by Gary Leff on February 14, 2023

Feb 14 2023

News came out over the weekend about a United Airlines Boeing 777-200 that took off from Maui’s airport back on December 18 – and nearly dropping to the ocean. Despite flight 1722 to Maui climbing to 2,200 feet and then plunging to within 775 feet of impact, news of the incident had not been reported.

In addition to questions around what happened, whether it was wind shear in a significant storm or whether the pilots raised their flaps too far, and possibly became disoriented, there’s been mystery around why no one on the plane – out of more than 200 passengers – posted about the incident to social media.

Report: Southwest Airlines CEO Flew American Back To Dallas After Pilots Walked Out On Him At Rally

by Gary Leff on February 11, 2023

Feb 11 2023

On Wednesday Southwest Airlines held an employee rally in Baltimore and pilots, in the midst of a contract negotiation with the airline, walked out on CEO Bob Jordan, reminiscent of United Airlines pilots turning their back on their own CEO in December.

Jordan reportedly flew back to Dallas, not on Southwest Airlines – but on American Airlines – according to a Southwest pilot.

Savage: Union Leader Tells American Airlines Pilots, ‘Go Get A Job At Delta’

by Gary Leff on February 10, 2023

Feb 10 2023

The American Airlines operation was taken down by bad labor relations in the summer of 2019. Mechanics weren’t fixing planes, and writing up minor issues, causing rampant cancellations. The two sides came to an agreement on a contract just before the pandemic, and things have been running smoothly.

But pilot and flight attendant contracts have been in negotiations for years, and things are beginning to turn ugly.

Southwest Airlines Pilots Walk Out On CEO Bob Jordan As Carrier Tries To Restore Culture After Holiday Meltdown

by Gary Leff on February 9, 2023

Feb 09 2023

On Wednesday, Southwest Airlines held a major employee rally. They’re working to support the culture, as they always do, but it’s especially crucial now after the airline’s holiday meltdown and because around one-fifth of the carrier’s employees are new within the last year.

However Southwest pilots used the opportunity to walk out on CEO Bob Jordan.

American Airlines Pilot Union Trying To Cover For Crew In New York Near-Disaster

by Gary Leff on January 21, 2023

Jan 21 2023

On January 13, an American Airlines Boeing 777 headed to London taxied on the wrong runway as a Delta 737 began its take off roll. This was nearly a disaster of epic proportions, as the American jet crossed right in front of Delta, and the Delta plane hit the brakes.

The Delta flight stopped less than 1000 feet from where it would have intersected with American’s plane. The transatlantic 777 didn’t follow air traffic control instructions. It nearly caused a disaster. And now the Allied Pilots Association is running interference in the media.

Now That The Meltdown Is Over, Here’s What Southwest’s Pilots Have To Say

by Gary Leff on December 31, 2022

Dec 31 2022

The Southwest Airlines pilot union sent its members a note in the aftermath of their airline’s meltdown, diagnosing the core issues and challenges at the company. It’s a mix of correct analysis and hobby horses.

Tom Nekouei, 2nd Vice President of SWAPA, mostly dumps on former CEO Gary Kelly, who retired early in 2022, and correctly flags that the company has deferred technology investment for decades.

New United Airlines Pilot Union Head Resigns In Days For Homophobic And Misogynistic Comments

by Gary Leff on December 22, 2022

Dec 22 2022

Captain Neil Swindells was elected to head the United Airlines pilot union in a controversial and close vote, where members of the group’s Master Executive Council tried to shut down discussion of his homophobic, misogynistic, and anti-Semitic online commentary.

I wrote, though, that he was unable to represent all of his pilot members equally. And this wasn’t just an internal pilot issue – the head of the pilot union gets a board seat at United Airlines. He was clearly unable to represent shareholders, either.

The New Head Of The United Airlines Pilots Union Must Resign Immediately

by Gary Leff on December 20, 2022

Dec 20 2022

The Air Line Pilots Association negotiated a new contract with the airline. Seeing pilots at other airlines getting more than they had negotiated they ripped up the agreement rather than sending it to their members. And many United pilots now want a fight with the airline.

But just-elected Captain Neil Swindells is the wrong person to lead them, because he cannot represent the full membership of his union with racist and misogynistic commentary.

United Airlines Pilots Literally Turn Their Back On Scott Kirby When He Showed Up To Speak With Them

by Gary Leff on December 8, 2022

Dec 08 2022

It wasn’t surprising to see Kirby personally go down to meet picketing pilots during the airline’s board meeting in Houston. And it was a terrible look to see those pilots turn their backs on the CEO. And then for the union to brag about it!

How The Big Airline Pilots Union Misleads You For Their Own Gain

by Gary Leff on November 23, 2022

Nov 23 2022

For years the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), the major pilots union, has lobbied for federal rules that make it difficult to become a pilot. Fewer pilots keeps wages high, and gives unions leverage during contract negotiations – they can’t just be replaced if they strike (or if an airline were to lock them out). But with a shortage of pilots, some of those rules have come under scrutiny.

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